After a promising home stretch one week ago, the Idaho Vandals soccer team found themselves on the losing end of two tough matches in the Boise Invitational.
Tony Marcolina | Argonaut
Defender Emma Caringello practices with teammates Tuesday at Guy Wicks Field. The Vandals will take on Miami Friday in Coral Gables, Fla.
Idaho (2-4) fell to in-state rival Idaho State 2-0 Friday and then followed that up with a 3-2 double overtime loss to Montana on Sunday.
For the first time this season, the inconsistent Vandals lost two straight games and now will prepare for a cross-country trip to Miami for another road weekend.
In Idaho’s first match of the tournament, both them and Idaho State (4-0) had no trouble finding their shots with both teams tallying 13 and 14 respectively. Both teams were also able to place six of their shots on frame, but two Bengal first-half goals were the difference against an Idaho side that has struggled to find it’s early goal-scoring prowess.
Senior forward Chelsea Small led the team with three shots on the day, one being a shot on goal. No Vandal had more than one shot on goal during the game.
Idaho coach Pete Showler said that despite the chances, his team lacked the hunger needed inside the box.
“We just didn’t have the spark needed to get that finishing touch in the box,” Showler said. “They were a bit more hungry and wanted it more than we did on the pitch.”
On the defensive side, senior goalkeeper Liz Boyden stopped four shots during the match. The Idaho State goals came courtesy of Rachel Strawn in the 16th minute and Anna Pingree in the 19th minute.
One consistent theme this season has been the changing at left and right back for the Vandals, a theme that held true again this weekend with two different pairings playing those positions.
“It’s a process at those two positions, and the difference between Friday and Sunday was night and day,” Showler said. “When players get their opportunities they need to take advantage.”
In the second game of the weekend, Idaho looked like a different team, but defensively the gaps were still there.
Montana (3-3) fired off 25 shots against the Vandals with 11 of them on frame. Meanwhile, Idaho was able to get off 17 shots with six on target.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, Idaho freshman Meli Cortez netted her second goal of the season in the 50th minute after chasing down a loose ball outside the box. The teams then exchanged the next three scores, with Montana’s Lauren McCreath tying the match up in the 58th minute.
The next goal came off the foot of Idaho’s all-time leading scorer Small, who converted a 60th minute penalty kick into the bottom right corner.
The Griz were able to equalize in the 75 minute through Erin Craig, tying the match once again at 2-2. The score would remain that way until the 107th minute of double overtime, when Montana’s Mackenzie Akins took a rebounded shot inside the six yard box and shot it home for the match winner.
“That was a match I really think we deserved to win, we played well and we should be proud of our effort,” Showler said. “What adversity builds is great character for these girls. It’s a great experience for the team to be in these types of matches.”
Idaho continues its road trip at 4 p.m. Friday when they take on Miami in Coral Gables, Fl. They then face Florida International at 2 p.m. Sunday in Miami.
Madison McCord can be reached at [email protected]